Renee Lico is a designer and social media marketer living in Seattle, WA. She is a full-time student and single mom, who will be graduating with a multimedia design degree in December. She has an entrepreneurial spirit with 2 freelance businesses, Re.design Studios for graphic design and photography and StarShine Social Media. She is also co-founder for BoodleBags (handmade diaper bags) and DoodleDogs Pet Services.
Tell us about achieving your Multimedia Design degree in December. Was it difficult? How has your life changed?
I LOVE design so working towards the degree was the fun part.
I had classes in the entire Adobe Creative Suite, pre-press, motion graphics…a great combination of classes to have a firm understanding of old school vs. new school of design and technology.
The difficult part was getting to the point in my life to decide to go back to school. It has been life-changing as I have gone from a stay-home mom to a full-time student, single mother trying to balance it all. I am blessed to have amazing family and friends to help keep me on track and moving towards my goal.
You specialize in photography, design & social media. How do you balance your interests?
Life is all about balance right?
Photography is spur of the moment for me, I could never plan it so making a living at it would be difficult for me. I prefer to just take photos with no desired outcome, it is strictly free-flow for me and very personal.
Design is similar to photography because you are using the same creative “eye” to capture something. I again use the word flow…you can’t work too hard at it, you have to just let it rise to the surface.
Social Media is a great way to combine design and marketing! It all relies on communication and even empathy to achieve success.
I see all 3 as related.
How will the online world change in coming years?
I see smartphones and tablets as the world of the future, everyone will have one. Desktops and laptops will fade away, the government will have more control and advertisers will be dominating.
Social media is a powerful way to generate interest in products, websites & companies. How do you harness that power?
There are many ways to harness that power but I believe the best way for individuals and companies to generate and KEEP interest will be from being open and transparent about their products and services.
People are tired of the “sales pitch” and social media has changed the game and allowed consumers to take control of who and what captures their attention.
What are some of your goals & pursuits for the future?
My current goal is to complete my AA degree in Multimedia Design by December this year. After that, I will keep growing my two businesses and keep learning about the ever-changing landscape of technology, design and social media.
On a personal note, raise my son to be an amazing person, successfully help him with math homework without losing my mind 
and I also want to purchase a RV within the next 5 years.
What are some of your favorite movies?
My Neighbor Totoro (well, any Hayao Miyazaki films), Where the Wild Things Are and Once.
Do you have any favorite books?
My all time favorite is The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, followed by The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery.
What can companies do to prepare themselves for an online presence?
Determine who they are and who there target market is.
Develop a mission statement around that and listen to their market. Have a social media strategy. Don’t just create a Facebook profile and expect it to just work. Content is essential!
Some of Renee’s work…
Blogger, entrepreneur, digital marketing consultant and recording artist. I make money online and teach others how to do the same.
"You’re such a smart boy!" were his first accolades heard. So, it’s no wonder that this phrase became the title of his business, Smart Boy Designs.